Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) said proposed amendments to India's Foreign Contribution Regulation Act are a "clear attack on Christians" [1].
The remarks highlight growing tensions over religious liberty and foreign funding, potentially complicating the diplomatic partnership between the U.S. and India.
Moore said the 2026 amendment bill [6] would grant the Indian government the power to take over churches and religious charities [3]. He said the changes would reduce penalties for certain violations, which he argues threatens the religious liberty of Christian organizations operating within India [1].
According to Moore, the legislative shift is not merely a regulatory update but a targeted move against religious institutions [1]. He said the bill would allow the government to seize control of religious charities, effectively dismantling the autonomy of these organizations [3].
Beyond the internal religious impact, the congressman emphasized the geopolitical risks associated with the bill. He said these changes could damage India-U.S. relations [2]. The concerns center on whether the Indian government's approach to foreign funding aligns with the democratic values shared by both nations.
Moore's criticism comes as India continues to debate the scope of the FCRA, a law that regulates how foreign donations are received and utilized by non-governmental organizations. The proposed 2026 updates [6] seek to tighten oversight of these funds, but Moore said the result is a targeted strike on the Christian faith [1].
“"This is a clear attack on Christians."”
This dispute reflects a friction point where U.S. domestic political interests regarding religious freedom intersect with India's sovereign efforts to regulate foreign influence. If the FCRA amendments are passed, they may provide a legal basis for the Indian government to exert more control over religious NGOs, which could trigger diplomatic friction or sanctions-related discussions in the U.S. Congress.
